The electro-pop duo made up of Dan Chang and Michael Garner, known as Hunter Hunted, is sure to be a household name in no time. They made their official debut earlier this month to a sold out crowd at the Troubadour, and are already making their television debut tonight on Conan. After viewing the video for “End of the World” it’s obvious why they are soaring to the top of their class. The glistening guitars, booming drumbeats, and electronic flourishes are merely the backdrop to their folk-tinged melodies and honeyed harmonies. Add to that the anthemic chorus that drops in like a stampede of horses in the desert as they croon, harmonically of course, “the end is coming, but we already know,” and you’ve got yourself one catchy single that’s sure to spread like wildfire. Watch the two attempt to survive in an abandoned, rusted out wasteland as they are hunted by a pair of sexy face-painted women in this video that’s as sleek as their production. While they may only be playing inside your TV tonight, they’ve nabbed a coveted residency this March at the Bootleg. It’s free every Monday and the line-up is already shaping up nicely. – Jacqueline Caruso

This event is a collaborative, interactive, live experience being held at Hollywood’s underground Church of Fun, a recent hub for celebrities ranging from Axl Rose to Moby to Weird Al, on March 2nd. A 2 ½ minute short film premiere evolves into a Last Waltz meets Truman Show one-off Two Act Filmed Showcase with a DJ Intermission. Artists coming together in community, all united by the romance of Echo Park, persons who might otherwise remain strangers. A variety show featuring performances by emerging indie artists to Echo Park’s greatest mariachi band, belly dancers, poets, and lounge singers. The lineup includes The Dead Ships, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Amanda Jo Williams (pictured above), and many more. Check out the Facebook event for more details. 

Sometimes, it’s best just to make a change and hope how that things will kick off elsewhere. The duo of Nick Campbell and James DeDakis, known in band form as Wages, were previously living in North Carolina prior to moving to L.A. last year. But before making that trip, they recorded their debut EP Shady Chamber, which features that all-embracing, big-tent indie rock sound that will surely reach the hearts of many who like their songs to be suffused with that life-affirming warmth. Nevertheless, the songs vaguely hint at grandness, and maintain a suble restraint even when they occasionally opt for towering, bittersweet conclusions. Most of Shady Chamber is built around sonic sculptures and chamber pop sensibilities, entwined with arpeggiated, tuneful guitars and layered angular harmonies that usually build into discreet atmospherics. The duo is still currently in transition, assembling all the moving parts that will no doubt help them expand their sound. But considering they haven’t been around for long, these travelers with a plan are settling, and definitely on track to becoming favorites in the local scene.

The mood was set and anticipation was high as Kan Wakan (formerly Oren Lyons) took the stage for the third week of their month-long residency at The Echo this past Monday night. An impressive backdrop made to look like the background of their website with a perfectly matching color palette of lights piercing through from behind mesmerized, as they opened their set with the lush, intoxicating single, “Forever Found.” The crowd was already bursting with exuberant excitement at the first recognizable notes and continued their energetic support throughout the night. From those first notes right until the very end of the impressive closing jam session, the band was poised, precise, polished, and most of all stylish. All seven members manned their elaborate set-ups with effortless expertise – from violin to laptop to saxophone, they unobtrusively blended technology with minimalist acoustic instrumentation. As they traversed the musical landscapes of psych, soul, funk, pop and jazz, they managed to keep it all under the banner of that magical, unique Kan Wakan sound. These seven are clearly multi-talented and all seem to have the ability to be the mastermind of their own musical projects. Watching them all work together was like a masterful ballet, but with the sex appeal of 007. At one point I even overhead an audience member comment on the James Bond Soundtrack-like quality to the band’s set. Kristianne Bautista cast her net of possession over the crowd as her sultry alto soared over the complex arrangements. Hearing her voice in the recordings did not quite do justice to the mysterious, almost melancholy quality she brings to the live performance. Despite the intriguing musical acrobatics of the rest of the band, you really can’t take your eyes off her. The highlight of the show was the final song that turned into an improvised musical chairs jam session and transitioned seamlessly back into the original song. The violinist sat at the cajon armed with brushes that looked like tiny rakes, and Bautista went to the back to man the synth as the rest of the band chasséd and pirouetted to close out the night in a way that left us all speechless. Needless to say, seeing Kan Wakan live solidified their status as one of the best local bands for which to keep a very close eye. The band announced they have finished recording their debut full length with an expected Summer 2013 release. You can catch them for the final night of their residency this Monday, Feb. 25, which I’m sure will be your last chance to see them for free. – Jacqueline Caruso

The brain-child of Ryder Bach, Body Parts is intelligent, evocative indie rock that blends pop, a little R&B, and mind-bending harmonies. They’ve released a new single, “Rest While You Sleep,” on New Professor, that is teasing at a possible full-length release expected later this year. This song, much like their previous releases, leaves more and more to be discovered with every subsequent listen. It’s thoughtful and complicated, without being heavy-handed and self-righteous. There’s just enough playfulness in the arrangement and performance to invite you into their quirky world, rather than keeping you at arms length as they dazzle you with their arty, avant abilities. Somehow they manage to embrace their obvious influences (Talking Heads, Dirty Projectors) without offending. It’s a delicate dance, but they pull it off in spades. You can see them live April 8 at Bardot for “It’s A School Night.” – Jacqueline Caruso

The quirky, effervescent music video of "Running Down the Alleyway" by bubbly trio The Anti-Job should serve as a welcome reprieve to those who can’t say no to their jobs. You can catch them promoting their latest release, Bloom, on Saturday, March 9th at Canter’s Deli – Kibitz Room in West Hollywood. 

It is a known fact that LA is blessed with summer weather almost year round. So how can a band not be inspired by sunny days and the beaches at their fingertips? Glow Marrow is a band that exudes a crisp sea breeze and the sublime character of California. High school friends Derek Coburn and Darin Green make up the duo which is originally from Thousand Oaks. At its core, Glow Marrow is an indie pop band with exhilarated vocals and pleasant melodies. However, what makes their songs memorable is their knack for diving into synth beats and tropical influences. The band channels the likes of El Guincho and Vampire Weekend’s cape cod signature, but add their own Southern California touch. Glow Marrow will be releasing a debut EP called "Braver Days" on March 5th. – Karla Hernández

The electro pop duo, Kisses, have announced the release of their sophomore album, ‘Kids In LA’, set to be released on May 14 on Cascine. The first single, “The Hardest Part,” takes you on an epic journey of heartbreak and loneliness in a cold, empty version of the once sun-drenched streets of SoCal. The larger than life, thumping drum machines and 80s inspired synth leads take center stage as Jesse Kivel (formerly of the band Princeton), waxes poetic about starting over after losing love in the catchiest way possible. These are master storytellers adept at imagery that takes the music to the big screen in your mind. My movie of this song has the protagonist on a lonely search cruising through an empty city on a stealthy, sleek motorcycle in a dystopian future. Where does he search lead? The bottom of a bottle, a seedy disco, the arms of another woman? I’m itching to hear the rest of the album to find out, but mostly I’ll be humming that hook in my sleep. Catch Kisses on tour this spring. – Jacqueline Caruso

Dreamy soundscapes, experimental structures, and surrealist psychedelia swirl around in this single from musical and visual auteur Vinyl Williams. “Inner Space”, like the rest of the collection of tunes off the recently released LP, Lemniscate, is other-worldly, with nearly angelic layers of vocals and trailing effects that descends into chaotic Bowie-esque wanderings. A more cerebral journey than most, this record requires an open mind and more than a few listens to sink in. A satisfying daydream that feels like an acid trip, but a pleasant one nonetheless. Vinyl Williams plays Los Globos with HOTT MT on Wednesday, February 20. – Jacqueline Caruso

Deli Readers,

We are proud to announce that The Deli’s Best Emerging Los Angeles Artist of 2012 is Zig Zags! With a recent Iggy Pop collaboration and a cassette release on Burger Records, the psych-leaning punk act held a solid lead over trippy, psychedelic rock band, The Vim Dicta.  Taking third place is gritty singer-songwriter, Meg Myers. 

You can catch Zig Zags live at The Fonda on February 14. A perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day – check out their track streaming at the bottom of this post. 

BEST OF 2012 POLL FOR EMERGING LA ARTISTS – FINAL RESULTS –   ARTIST J W   R OS TOT   1 Zig Zags 6   0.016   6.016 2 The Vim Dicta 3   1.5   4.5 3 Meg Myers 4   0.216   4.216 4 HOTT MT 3 1 0.067   4.067 5 NO 4   0.014   4.014 6 Gavin Turek 4   0.001   4.001 7 Zaptra 3   1   4 8 Thrown Into Exile 3   0.5   3.5 9 Kan Wakan 3   0.5   3.5 10 Father John Misty 3   0.021   3.021 11 Cotillon 2   0.013 1 3.013 12 Little Red Lung     0.013 3 3.013 13 Haim 3   0.01   3.01 14 Busdriver 3   0.01   3.01   LA Font 2 1 0.009   3.009 16 The Ross Sea Party 3   0.007   3.007   Mind the Gap 3   0.006   3.006   Nightmare & the Cat 3   0.006   3.006 19 Criminal Hygiene 3   0.006   3.006   Silent Servant 3   0.002   3.002   Pangea 3   0.002   3.002 22 Cold Showers 3   0.001   3.001   IAMEVE     2 1 3 24 The Black Heartthrobs 2   0.01   2.01 25 True Press 2   0.009   2.009 26 Fake Furs     0.009 2 2.009 27 Dante Vs Zombies 2   0.008   2.008   Regal Degal 2   0.004   2.004 29 Raw Geronimo 2   0.003   2.003 30 Hands 2   0.001   2.001 31 Vatican Shadow 2   0   2   The Morning Birds     0.055 1.5 1.555   Nightmare Air     0.176 1 1.176 34 So Many Wizards     0.12 1 1.12  35 Zak Waters 1   0.08   1.08   Dark Furs     0.056 1 1.056   Dustbowl Revival 1   0.039   1.039   Them Guns 1   0.026   1.026   The Abe Lincoln Story 1   0.023   1.023 40 The Vivids 1   0.019   1.019   I Hate You Just Kidding     0.016 1 1.016   Jimmetta Rose 1   0.009   1.009 43 Wildcat! Wildcat!   1 0.009   1.009 44 Flaamingos 1   0.008   1.008 45 Gothic Tropic 1   0.006   1.006 46 Pageants 1   0.005   1.005 47 The Reflections 1   0.003   1.003 48 Champagne Leader 1   0.003   1.003  49 yOya 1   0.002   1.002 50 Harriet 1   0.001   1.001 Legend: J = Jurors, W = Deli Writers,  R = Deli Readers, OS = Open Submissions

Take a look at our chart of 50 Los Angeles area bands below. The highest value of votes came from our jurors, who included individuals involved in local music. This includes promoters, venue owners, press, record store owners, and other music experts. The remainder of votes was compiled by The Deli LA contributors, readers, and open submissions voted on by national Deli editors. 

Congrats to everyone who made the list and thanks to all those who voted!

The Deli LA’s Staff

Highland Park native Jonathan Bates, otherwise known by his moniker Big Black Delta, made quite a splash last year with IFUCKINGLOVEYOU, a psych-freakout whirlwind of raw, unfettered emotion that immediately caught your attention. Though quiet for the past few months, Bates has finally come out of the dark to unveil his long-awaited self-titled debut, which is set to release on April 9th. He’s also released the album’s first single "Side of the Road", in which a sleazy, glitched-out torrent of synths are nestled with a thumping melodic grime; though his vocals are processed to the nth degree, it’s in the chorus where he discloses a charm akin to the spoken word projection of David Byrne. 

Boasting two stages and over 20 bands, the First Annual What Cheer? Festival is kicking off the season of outdoor jubilance in style. The Deli LA is proud to be sponsoring the event along with Burger Records, Rollo & Grady, Lo-Pie, Comune, Bandwidth Mondo, underStory, and LA Phun. An inspiring effort to showcase an immense amount of local talent, the line-up is a solid collection of psych, garage, surf, folk, and indie rock. Quite a few of our past poll winners, and even Best of 2012 runners-up, The Vim Dicta, will be gracing the stages, including Cotillon, and Criminal Hygiene. Tickets are on sale now, and won’t be available at the door. For only $10 you better get them while you can. While you’re at it, spend some time perusing the line-up on the flier, and give a listen to one of the headliners, The Abigails – streaming below. – Jacqueline Caruso